Improvement in boot and shoe stretchers



. T. (I. MARIS.

lm prove m e at i n Boot, a n d vS h o e St retc h e rs Patnted July 9, 1872.

00. MK fpssannss mbcessj UNITED STATES THOMAS c. MARIS, or MARIETTA, OHIO.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 128,740, dated July 9, 1872.

. SPECIFICATION. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. MARIS, of Marietta, in the county of Washington and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Boot and Shoe Stretcher, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and complete device that can be readily operated to stretch either the toe or instep of the boot or shoe; and the improvement consists in forming a stretcher of two sectional pieces, which are connected together at the heel by an adjusting-screw, and loosely-fulcrumed to each" other, so that when together they form a last of suitable shape, that can be expanded, as desired, either at the toe or instep, as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved device, showin g the parts in position for stretching the toe Fig. 2, a central longitudinal section of the same when in position for stretching the in.- step; and Fig. 3, a detail, showing the slot in the heel of the sole-plate for connecting and disconnecting it with the adjusting-screw, as hereinafter described.

The sole-plate A is shaped to conform to the bottom of the boot, and is hollowed out to make it light. -A rib, A extends across the central part of the sole-plate below the instep,

and is recessed at the top to form a transverse bearing below the instep for the fulcrum of the upper plate, and a rib, A at the toe of the sole-plate, similarly recessed, forms a bearing for a fulcrum piece below the toe of the upper plate, as hereinafter described. An upper plate, B, is shaped to conform to the upper part of the boot, and may be hollowed out in the same manner as the sole-plate just described. A rib, B, extends across the upper plate below the instep, and fits the recess in the rib A of the sole-plate, so as to form a fulcrum upon which the upper plate rocks when it is desired to expand the plates at the toe. The toe-end of the upper plate is also provided with a rib, B to fit the corresponding recess in the toe of the sole-plate A, so as to form a fulcrum or knuckle-joint between the plates when it is desired to expand them at the in" step. An adj Listing-screw, 0, provided with a handle, 0 at its upper end, passes through a hole in the heel-end of the upper plate, which is provided with a female screw, 1), that conforms to the pitch of the thread of the adjusting-screw, and is secured at its lower end to a slot, 0, formed in the heel of the sole-plate, which permits the screw to adapt itself to the movement and varying angle of the upper plate. The slot 0 is enlarged at its back end, so that the head of the adjusting-screw O can be withdrawn from the slot, and by this means disconnect the upper plate and sole-plate when it is desired to withdraw the stretcher from a close-fitting boot.

In operation, the two plates are adjusted by the set-screw, so that both of the fulcrums of the upper plate rest in the corresponding recesses of the. sole-plate, in which position the stretcher can readily be inserted into the boot. When the handle of the adjusting-screw is turned in one direction the heel-end of the upper plate is depressed and rocks on the fulcrum B which causes the toe-end of the plates to expand and stretch the toe-end of the boot in a suitable manner. When, on the other hand, the handle is turned in the opposite direction, the heel-end of the upper plate is raised, and the toe-end rests upon-the fulcrum B so that the instep of the boot can be stretched to any degree required.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A boot and shoe stretching last formed of two sections, having an intermediate fulcrum placed below the instep, in combination with an adjusting device at the heel thereof, when said parts are combined to operate for stretching the toe substantially as set forth.

2. A boot and shoe stretching last formed of two sections and having two independent fulcrums, in combination with an adjusting device, substantially as described, so that either the toe or instep may be stretched, as desired.

T. G. MARIS.

Witnesses:

W. H. ROWE, J OE. I. PEY'roN, 

